Lately

We are currently experiencing the calm before the business of graduation. Our favourite lunch spots in town aren't too crowded, and we can sleep peacefully without waking up to Katy Perry at 2am. (We really do love our flat!)

On Saturday, I helped organise the Medicine Visiting Day for the University, and it went very well! I enjoyed dinner and drinks after at this new pub. A possible new best restaurant in St Andrews. I'm really thankful to work with people who I enjoy socialising with. I've worked in Admissions for about seven months now, and I feel very settled.

Garrick is impressing me as per usual. I recently attended his paper titled, "The Theology of Early Christian Scribes and the Greek Manuscript Tradition" at the Christian Thought Seminar last week. His handout was literally all Greek to me, but I paid attention to others in attendance to know when to turn the page. Overall, I followed his main points and the discussion that followed was very important. I enjoyed the dialogue about biblical scholars and theologians working together. It's great to see him in this setting!

 

On Monday, we had a day off, so we headed out to Balgove for eggs benedict (for me!) and a full Scottish breakfast (for Garrick!). Along the way, we passed many golfers teeing off at the 18th hole of the Old Course in gorgeous weather. After brunch, we retreated home for naps and reading. That evening, Garrick played in a football tournament put on by all the local churches. He had fun, but I think it was far from anything we've watched in the World Cup recently.

This summer we're mainly staying in St Andrews. Garrick has a few short weekends away for conferences in Vienna and Leuven, as well as a whisky trip to the islands, but overall we'll be at the beach or spending time with friends. Much like the PNW, it seems a shame to leave during the summer months after making it through the dark and rainy winter. Bring on the sun!

Tonight we're having a mac and cheese dinner date, and I'm hoping to continue reading the Harry Potter series. I've recently started number three and can't put it down. That's all for now!

Retreat in the Borders

This weekend, I joined 20 women from our church, Cornerstone, on a retreat at Kippilaw House in the Scottish Borders. We left in the evening on Friday and arrived in time for a brief session and small groups, followed by supper and socializing. I roomed with my lovely friend Liana in the White Room. It was very spacious and of course, white.

The retreat structure included sessions led by guest speaker, Dot, small groups, and free time. Saturday afternoon, I walked around the estate, painted my nails, napped, read "Harry Potter", and enjoyed conversation with friends. Meals were delicious and prepared by Becky and Abby, pictured below in their stylish aprons. I formed deeper relationships with many women from our church, and I'm thankful I had this time to rest and reflect. I hope to go back again to explore more of the Borders, including Melrose. Take a look!

 

Saturday in Edinburgh

Sometimes we just need to get out. It's the best way to remember how much we love the small-town charm of St Andrews and to experience the options and beauty a city offers.

We caught the 8:40am train and enjoyed a few games of cribbage before getting off at Waverly. On a whim I asked Garrick (who hates heights) if he'd like to climb the Scott Monument. He obliged and we paid our 8 quid and began walking the 287 steps up to the top. There are several landings with little nooks to explore, including a museum halfway up. As we neared the top, our shoulders touched the side walls and we could barely fit through the door to the lookout. The views are said to be the best in Edinburgh, and we'd agree!



 

Back on the ground, we shopped at the Gap and then sat down at Starbucks (thanks, Dad!) for some tea and coffee. For lunch we ate at Oink on Grassmarket, then explored a few bookstores and met up with Will and Jackie, who we got to know last summer in Paris. They showed us Stockbridge, home to amazing charity shops, and then we stopped in at the Hanging Bat, a delicious beer café. 

They invited another couple to join us for traditional fish pie at their flat and we concluded the night with games. I actually fell asleep on their floor with a heated blanket wrapped around me. Heaven.

We caught the last train back to St Andrews, not realising that a Scotland vs. France Rugby match had just finished. Scotland lost. I got beer dumped on me. It was an experience.

We are thankful for this unique city that's so close to St Andrews, and also for fun friends to show us around. We'll go back soon!

Valentine's + a Birthday

My husband loves to go on weekend getaways. I do, too, but never think of planning them. So, with Valentine's and my birthday in the same weekend, this handsome guy picked me up in our hire car and we were off to Loch Tay.

 

For his first time navigating the left side of the road, he was a champ. In true Scottish form, we ran into a few obstacles in the middle of the road.

 

 

After waiting about five minutes, the farmer nodded at us as he passed with his sheep dog. Just a few more miles and we reached our glamping destination: The Loch Tay Highland Lodges. The snow was coming down, and the sun had set, so we cranked the heat and turned on The Fellowship of the Ring. After a few hours, we tried to navigate to the kitchen but couldn't see a foot in front of us. We settled for bread, cheese, and salami for dinner in our Wigwam. Here are a few photos when the weather cleared.

 

 

We'd stay here again! The rest of the site has different types of accommodation (including Mongolian yurts), and has stunning views of Loch Tay.

 

 

The nearest village was Killin, We discovered The Falls of Dochart Inn and took a few photos on the rocks before going inside to warm up by the fire and play Cribbage. Then we took a short drive through the nearby Trossachs before heading back to watch The Two Towers. That night at dinner, we met a fun couple from Edinburgh and we hope to stay in contact.

 

 

On Sunday we planned to drive to Dalwhinnie Distillery. Our GPS guided us to some very snowy roads, and thankfully we were able to turn around and find a safer way to the A9. We made it a bit passed the tour, so we sampled three of their whiskies paired with chocolate. Garrick bought a bottle of the 15-year and we headed back down the A9 to Loch Tay. On the way, we saw a sign for the Scottish Chocolate Centre. Garrick pulled in without even asking if we should stop. He knew. After lunch we looked through the shop and bought some dark hot chocolate and truffles.  

 

 

Just before we reached our Wigwam, we saw a sign for Castle Menzies so we pulled off. And to conclude the day, we watched The Return of the King and then relaxed by the fire in the community room.

 

Today, my 26th birthday, Garrick woke me up by singing, made me breakfast, and we packed up and headed to Aberfeldy. The Water Mill is a lovely independent bookstore and café, so I bought some books and then enjoyed a hot chocolate and pain au chocolate, as you do on your birthday.

Truly, this has been the best Valentine's and birthday I've had, and this is thanks to my gem of a husband. He's a keeper.